Crowds come out for Canarsie Memorial Day Parade despite the rain

May 31, 2017 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Elected officials and community leaders march in the parade

The annual Canarsie Memorial Day Parade brought out a crowd of onlookers as police, civic groups, community leaders and elected officials marched along the boulevard.

Joining in the parade were Kings County Democratic Party Chairman Frank Seddio, Democratic Party District Leader Sue Ann Partnow, state Sen. Roxanne Persaud, 59th District Assemblymember Jaime Williams, City Councilmember for District 46 Alan Maisel, U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (Brooklyn, Queens), Thomas Jefferson Club of Kings County President Henry Bolus, Executive Director of Millennium Development Paul Curiale and Amar Dayal of the Brooklyn Midwood Lion’s Club (District 20-K1).

“Before the parade started, we laid a wreath at the Canarsie cemetery,” Persaud told the Brooklyn Eagle. “You know there’s a monument there for Civil War veterans, so we laid the wreath by the monument and then the parade started. This year, even with the rain, people came out. The Brooklyn Knights Marching Band, The Midwood Lions Club, The Canarsie Lions Club and other various organizations came out.

“I told everybody that they must remember what the day meant,” said Persaud. “It’s not only about coming out to have fun and eat hot dogs, it’s about remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us. This was my 22nd year participating in the parade and it’s been going on since 1975.”

Other groups taking part in the parade included the 69th Precinct Auxiliary Officers, The Stephen E. Knap Squire Circle, Ministry to the Filipino Immigrants Diocese of Brooklyn and the New York State Nurses Association.

The parade began at Conklin Avenue and marched along East 100th St. to Flatlands Avenue. From there the marchers went down East 98th St. to Avenue L. At the corner of Avenue L and Remsen Avenue the parade proceeded to the front of Canarsie cemetery, where everyone paused to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day.

A moment of silence was observed as the band played “Taps.” The parade ended at the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club, where refreshments were served.

“Considering the weather, this year’s parade had the best showing we’ve had in a very long time, which I was very pleased to see,” Maisel said.

“Things went really well and I’m really glad that we had so many people show up. It just shows that people are recognizing that in this current era, that freedom comes with a price and we all have to stick up for it.”

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